Peter was conscripted into the Australian Army on 30 September 1970, as a National Service Man (NASHO). The “National Service scheme” 1964-1972. In brief, the scheme was introduced to bolster the Regular Army for the Vietnam War.
After completing recruit training at 2nd Recruit Training Battalion, Puckapunyal Victoria, Peter was allocated to the RAA. After an Artillery Signallers course at the School of Artillery North Head, Manly, Sydney and a Gun Number Course at 123 Training Battery, Holsworthy NSW, Peter was posted to 101st Field Battery, a subunit of 1st Field Regiment at Sanananda Barracks, Wacol, Queensland.
Peter was promoted Lance Bombardier in 1971 and Bombardier in 1972 on the Gun Line. As a result of a car accident Peter was medically downgraded and spent some time as a Bombardier Battery Clerk at the Battery until he became fit for gunline duty. In 1977 Peter was promoted Sergeant, serving as Gun Sergeant, Signals Sergeant, and Command Post Sergeant, before promotion to Warrant Officer Class 2, in 1981. On promotion, Peter was posted as Sergeant Major Instructor Gunnery (SMIG), 39 Medium Battery, 10th Medium Regiment, Colac, Victoria. After several years at 39 Medium Battery, he moved to the Regimental Headquarters in Geelong, as SMIG of Headquarters Battery.
In 1986, Peter was posted back to 1st Field Regiment, as Battery Sergeant Major, Headquarters Battery. The Regiment at this time had relocated to Barce Lines at Gallipoli Barracks, Enoggera. After only 18 months Peter was promoted Warrant Officer Class One and posted to the Land Warfare Centre, Canungra, as an Instructor on the Warrant Officer and Non-Commissioned Officer Wing. |
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In 1989 he was posted back to 1st Field Regiment as the Regimental Sergeant Major (RSM). The Regiment during this period had 18 guns (M2A2) and in 1990 the Regiment converted to the Hamel gun. The Regiment consisted of Headquarters Battery, 101st and 105th Field Battery’s, 104th Field Battery (a General Reserve Battery) and a Technical Support Troop. In 1991 Peter was Posted to Headquarters 1st Division Artillery as the Divisional Artillery Sergeant-Major (DASM). In 1993, Peter took Voluntary Redundancy from the ARA, and transferred to the Active Army Reserve,
In 1995, Peter accepted a Prescribed Service Officer Commission and was promoted to Captain. As a Captain, Peter served as Forward Observer (FO) and Battery Captain (BK) in 13th Field Battery. In late 2003, Peter was fortunate enough to transfer back into the Regular Army and deployed with the United Nations Mission of Support in East Timor (UNMISET), with the 6 Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment, Battle Group. Peter deployed as a commander with a Civil-Military Cooperation (CIMIC) team. On return to Australia after his deployment, Peter returned to his civilian employment as Court Officer in the Family Court of Australia, and the Army Reserve. |
